In Lyon, two high school demonstrations banned by the prefecture after Tuesday's damage

Faced with violence on the fringes of the high school movement, the prefecture is increasing the number of banning orders. In addition to those concerning the possession of pyrotechnic devices and gasoline, which led to several arrests in the morning, state services are targeting two gatherings planned for this Thursday. First in the Gerland district this morning, where a procession of 2,000 to 4,000 people was expected. “Protest processions and parades” are prohibited throughout the south of the 7th arrondissement. Gatherings are not prohibited there. This will, however, be the case for the second mobilization of the day scheduled for the afternoon at Place des Terreaux, in the city center. It is completely prohibited.

The prefecture motivates these decisions by the significant excesses observed during Tuesday's demonstration, which could not be brought to an end after the damage to several banking establishments and a gas station. “Given the significant risks of recurrence of disturbances to public order, the numerous damages to businesses and violence against the police committed during previous demonstrations, the late declaration which did not allow any prior preparatory exchange, the prefect issued an order this morning prohibiting protest processions and parades,” state services indicate about this Thursday morning’s demonstration. The organizers have been informed of this.

Mortar fire in front of several high schools

“Given the intensity of the violence recently observed, the mere presence of law enforcement would not be enough to prevent the risk of major incidents during a procession devoid of any supervision,” specifies the prefecture, fearing a risk of “a strong recurrence”. It also highlights the mobilization of the CRS for the Europa League match between OL and Crystal Palace in the evening when many English supporters are already present in town. This morning, 13 secondary establishments are affected by gatherings in the Rhône department as well as three higher establishments. Six people have already been arrested for shooting or possessing mortars and transporting gasoline, including three at the Martinière high school.

On Wednesday, the police were targeted by mortar fire in front of the Louis Armand high school in Villefranche-sur-Saône, in the north of the department. Five people were arrested there. Three others were arrested in front of the Parc Chabrières high school in Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, in the southern suburbs of Lyon, where four students who wanted to return to their establishment and two police officers were injured by the shooting of pyrotechnic devices, specifies the prefecture. In total, 12 arrests were recorded during the day. If the weekend will be marked by the arrival of the school holidays, the call for a national rally on Saturday October 17 was widely relayed in Lyon.